Hello,

 I have only posted a few times, but i do read to learn more.

I thought you might want to share my excitement.   The basic structure of my folding theater was finished today.  The fellow that has built it at his house, was unable to bring it with him as the paint was still wet.  This one will be portable, then when i take it on the road [to parks or parties] it will be installed in the back of a horse trailer [type] hauler, with a rear drop ramp.  The builder came to consult me about constructing the 'lean' rail, as i couldn't support the marionettes for very long, without one.   I'm 72 old and working towards my first marionette show. Thus the topic.

Incidentally, i think i have found the solution for changing clothes on a marionette and hauling them lying down.

Shalom

Hello Crafty,
Sounds fantastic, wish i had half your energy !
Would love to hear more about it and see some pics of your theatre and marionettes

a' the best

Ian

Crafty,
I agree with scojack, can't wait to see picture of your new theater! So tell us more about your idea for changing cloths and moving your marionettes laying down.  I assume you have figured out a way to detach the strings.  Even with the strings attached permanently, you can still transport them with out hanging by simply placing a back over the puppet itself then tie a ribbon or string about half way up the strings (more if they are really long strings). Then you lay the puppet down and the control on top of the bagged puppet. If you pack them fairly tight in a trunk then they don't sift much and the strings won't get tangled.

Thank you for your interest.

I don't know how to put pictures on here, so i doubt i can share them.

As to how i will detach the strings [my main purpose is so i can change clothes to use one for more than one role];  i fasten one end of a fishing finding [ the kind that is used to change flies or hooks quickly] to the marionette.  In the larger part, i insert a small ring.  The strings will be hooked to the ring.  When i want the marionette to turn back into a 'free' doll, i simply remove the ring from the catch and roll the string on a bobbin, hook-able to the control.  I got tired of spending so much time trying to untangle George's strings.

Shalom

Mark brought the portable [fold up] theater to me.  I am so thrilled.    After i had had it for a few hours i had a brain storm.  I now realize that i will not be limited to marionettes.   With a little adjustment,  i will be able to do rod puppets, shadow puppets and hand puppets, and even muppets.
All i will need to do for the hand puppets is to leave the curtains closed, remove the floor and climb inside.   

Extra thought and arrangements had to be made, because i am too old/weak to stand for long or hold the controls without support.  He really did a fine job on those things.  I will be able to sit for all except the shadow puppets and some of the time even for those. 

Having the theater give me one other advantage.  When i do my stringing, i can match it to the actual space, instead of guessing.

Shalom